Spring 2014

Health Economics and Policy

Faculty

Description

Health care poses many pressing questions: Why do we spend so much on health care? Does this spending actually produce better health? How do health care institutions function? What is the appropriate role of government? How are we to judge the efficiency and equity of health care policy? By applying economic analysis to health, health care, and health care markets, health economics provides insight into these questions. In the first section of this course, we will assess the role of health care in the economy and apply economic models to the production of health and health care. In the second section of the course, we will study the structure of health care markets and the roles of key institutions. In the third section of the course, we will investigate the role of government and use our acquired knowledge to understand and evaluate health care policy and reform. Throughout this analysis, we will pay careful attention to the nature of health care markets, the anatomy of market failures, and the implications for public policy. Empirical results, current issues, and public policies will be discussed throughout the course. In addition to technical problems and economic analyses, students will be asked to write analytical papers and participate actively in the discussion of current economic research and public policy.

If Overenrolled: Students may be asked to describe their academic background and interest in the course. The class will be selected to achieve a group with diverse academic backgrounds and interests. Some preference will be given to economics majors.

Keywords

ECON 214 - L/D

Students may be asked to describe their academic background and interest in the course. The class will be selected to achieve a group with diverse academic backgrounds and interests. Some preference will be given to economics majors.